Essay on Transhumanism: The Drive for Perfection

In an ever evolving society, the increased use of technology has become a staple in our day to day lives. With the constant advancements of technology the ideology of cloning has now become a reality. The increasing use of science today is slowly leading to the development of cloning and genetic selection. By altering the genetic make-up of a being, scientists have brought about several questions on how the population would adjust to the “super-beings,” and what benefits and consequences both human and non-humans would gain with their creations? Authors Francis Fukuyama, who wrote “Human Dignity,” and The Dalai Lama, writer of “Ethics and the New Genetics,” has called into question the use of cloning and how it could possibly affect others. With the creation of “super-beings,” humans would ultimately suffer a bigger separation from each other and create unfairness among the human species such as a stronger and more intelligent being.

First of all, Savulescu presented to the readers the idea of “If we do not choose to enhance ourselves, it is wrong.” In the article he used the neglect parents as an example, and if the parents neglect their child’s stunning talent and choose to raise their kid as a normal person, they are making a very wrong decision. Also, Savulescu presented that biological enhancement can bring a big solution to the problem of poverty, and if us humans do not take actions onto introducing the enhancement to the world, it is a very wrong decision. Therefore, for the better goods of the future generations, and for solving many world’s biggest problems, genetic enhancement is the only right thing to do.

Genetic Modification is often perceived as the answer to humanity’s faults because it will enhance human abilities, prevent the survival of incapacitating disabilities, and guide the innovation of the future. Sounds pretty good, right? That is not the reality. Genetic modification is not the solution to the ubiquitous problems of the human race, but rather infringes on individual rights, decreases diversity, permits too much power to the human race, and contributes to overpopulation.

Although this may be the case in many areas of people’s lives today, it is not always beneficial, or necessary. People may have trouble deciding whether messing with human genes and cells is ethical. Designing the “perfect child” in many parent’s eyes becomes a harsh question of reality. The concept of a parent’s unconditional love for their child is questioned because of the desire to make their child perfect. If genetically engineering humans becomes a dominant medical option, people could have the chance to create their child however they like: from physical appearances, genetically enhanced genes, and the possibility to decide what a child thinks and acts, parents have access to designing their entire child. Naturally, people could be creating a super-human. Issues between different races, and eventually creating new prejudices against genetically engineered humans may increase. People may not realize how expensive genetic screening is at first. With only the rich being able to “enhance” their children, another social issue might occur, giving the world another type of people to outcast.

Scientist are researching genetic modification for many reasons. Some people think we are not good enough the way we are, and want to create a ‘perfect’ person. We have been given the ability to learn how to heal sickness and fix wounds with science. However, we have a responsibility to use this information wisely. We have been created with unique gifts and those gifts are important to the enhancement of life. Likewise, while researching about the Author of “The Perfect Stranger”, Amy Sterling Casil, I have discovered that she also has similar feelings about the gifts that we have all been given. We need to consider a few things as we review Casil’s story “The Perfect Stranger”. First, medical advancement is a great thing. Next, we need to make sure we are taking responsible steps while advancing and not creating even more division in our society. And lastly, we need to make sure we don’t lose our diversity and unique qualities. Although, some people believe genetic modification is what we need to better the human race, in actuality genetic modification can be dangerous, because overstepping our boundaries will produce something that is no longer authentic or that is unable to relate on a genuine level.

The evolution of technology has been hand in hand with the human subjugation of earth, but the question persists, when does the use of technology go too far? Advances in medical science have increased the average human lifespan and improved the quality of life for individuals. Medical science and biology are steadily arriving at new ways to alter humans by the use of advanced genetic alteration. This technology gives rise to the question of how this new technology ought to be used, if at all. The idea of human enhancement is a very general topic, since humans are constantly “enhancing” themselves through the use of tools. In referring to human enhancement, I am referring specifically to the use of genetic intervention prior to

Julian Savulescu wrote Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings and in this article he clearly states his position on the issues as well as providing supporting and opposing sides to the matter. He starts off by explaining this issue is focused on biological enhancement and more specifically genetic enhancement. Then the thesis statement is provided, “I want to argue that, far from it’s being merely permissible, we have a moral obligation or moral reason to enhance ourselves and our

For thousands of years mankind has obsessed with overcoming our bodily limitations. As far back as ancient Sumeria, we have the story of Gilgamesh, a man who was more intelligent, stronger, and more handsome than most humans. Fast forward a few centuries and we have Hercules, strongest man in the world, performer of heroic deeds. Throughout our history we 've had heroes, villains, and gods that are able to so much more than mere mortals. Even if you look at our literature today, we still have heroes who can do so much more than us normal, unmodified humans can do. Humanity has an obsession with being more than human. Emerging technology such as bionic

The technology is used to help humans overcome the physical and/ or mental limitations of the human body, resulting in the temporary or permanent augmentation of a person's abilities and features. In the piece, “The Case Against Perfection,” Michael J. Sandel argues that genetic enhancement is morally questionable. I will argue why his reasoning, more specifically his defense of “the giftedness of life,” is irrational. In this essay, I will explain Sandel’s moral objection against genetic enhancement, argue that his idea of “giftedness” is not as valuable as he states, and finally consider why my argument could be seen as fallible.

The use of human enhancement is becoming a popular debate in today’s society. We constantly ask ourselves and others if it is morally right to use technology to give couples the “perfect” baby? What about using it to make ourselves nearly perfect? Many people will automatically say no, but when asked why, they fail to come up with a decent response. Michael Sandel’s article, “What’s Wrong with Enhancement?” from Contemporary Moral Issues 4th edition by Lawrence M. Hinman gives us an inside look into what may actually be wrong with allowing human enhancements.

It is difficult to issue a blanket statement as to transhumanism goals. Even the "yes" opinion of McNamee and Edwards is somewhat of a misnomer; their view equates to more of a qualified yes rather than a blanket yes. Thus, the very concept of labeling an argument as to transhumanism as "yes" or "no" falls under the fallacy of bifurcation. The fallacy of bifurcation occurs when we are presented with only two options (yes or no) when middle ground exist (Foreman, 2014). There are good, and there are bad uses of transhumanism. Transhumanism covers everything from pacemakers to cosmetic vanity modifications. Therefore, I agree with McNamee and Edwards that we must approach specific aspects of transhumanism and judge them on their merits rather

The innumerable advances that science had reached in genetic aspects, made people think that there aren’t insurmountable limits to humans. At the same time it causes questions about the dangers they may offer in an increasingly, curious society.

The innumerable advances that science had reached in genetic aspects, made people think that there aren’t insurmountable limits to humans. At the same time it causes questions about the dangers they may offer in an increasingly, curious society.

Biology is the science of life. Technology uses science to solve problems. Our society has progressed in its understanding of life to the point that we are able to manipulate it on a fundamental level through technology. This has led to profound ethical dilemmas. The movie Gattaca explores some important bioethical issues that are currently the focus of much dispute. The underlying thematic issue presented is the question of the extent to which biologically inherent human potential determines the true potential of a person. Perhaps the most controversial issue in Gattaca is the use of genetic engineering technology in humans to create a more perfect society; this is, essentially, a new

Posthumanism, as a technological way of being, helps people to combat the feeling of inadequacy and alienation when it comes to technological artefacts. To note, it is undeniable that people are unable to fully know themselves. While others are wondering of what are their purposes in life, some of them also feel that they are not learned enough to become fully competent in the field they want to excell. However, the use of technology and its technological systems have greatly helped those who do not know and those who cannot understand themselves. Meaning, through the use of technology and supplement of the same, people can now search for information so that they can know themselves better. Aside from that, it is through the aid and supplement